Dr Gillian Bickley

With a background in writing, publishing and self publishing, Dr Gillian Bickley was invited to speak at the latest instalment of the DHSS Lecture Series on 6 April. Students and faculty in attendance had an opportunity to learn first hand about getting their written works published.

Dr Bickley and her husband have lived in Hong Kong for many years, though originally hailing from Great Britain. She has published a number of works of different genres, including biographies, historical nonfiction, and educational books for children.

After retiring from the English department at Hong Kong Baptist University, Bickley opened a local publishing house, Proverse Publishing, in Hong Kong, and often looks for emerging writers in the area.

“I’ve been wanting to come to Zhuhai for such a long time,” Bickley said. “I hope that you as an audience can connect my personal experience with your own.”

Bickley touched on several different aspects involved in having a book published, beginning with research. She explained the importance of looking at a subject from many different angles, especially when it comes to censorship.

A student raises a question during the lecture

Next she walked students through the process of finding a publisher that will take a completed work based on the type of creative writing, and finally discussed what it takes to be a full time writer.

“You can’t always write what you want,” Bickley said. “You have to be willing to do what others want until you are able to make connections.”

A CELL student presents student-produced literary magazine C-Magazine to  Gillian Bickley

Before taking questions from audience members, Bickley introduced her publishing house’s literary contest, the Proverse Literary Prize. With a global focus in mind, she designed the prize to be open to authors of all nationalities and all types of literature.

“Being an author isn’t just about writing a beautiful book,” she said. “You have to be able to share it with other people.”

For more information on Proverse Publishing and the Proverse Literary Prize, visit proversepublishing.com.

Reporter: Catherine E. Stolz
Photographer: Zheng Jinglin (CCM, Year 4)
Editor: Deen He, Samuel Burgess
(from MPRO)